Liquid dispenser, tap system having a liquid dispenser and liquid container, and method for using a liquid container

Abstract

A liquid dispenser ( 1 ) for receiving a liquid container and for dispensing a liquid from the liquid container, wherein the liquid dispenser has a housing ( 2 ) into which the liquid container is insertable and wherein the housing has, in a liquid dispensing region: a guide device ( 4 ), by means of which a liquid dispensing device of the liquid container is able to be guided during the insertion of the liquid container into the housing ( 2 ); and an actuating device ( 8 ), by means of which the liquid dispensing device is able to be actuated to dispense the liquid from the liquid container.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid dispenser for receiving a liquid container and for dispensing a liquid from the liquid container, wherein the liquid dispenser has a housing into which the liquid container is insertable and wherein the housing has, in a liquid dispensing region:
 a guide device, by means of which a liquid dispensing device of the liquid container is able to be guided during the insertion of the liquid container into the housing; and   an actuating device, by means of which the liquid dispensing device is able to be actuated to dispense the liquid from the liquid container; and   wherein the actuating device has:   an operating lever mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation,   a rocker arm mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation running substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, and   a force transmitting element, the position of which can be changed by the operating lever and which is connected to a first side of the rocker arm, viewed from the second axis of rotation, wherein a second side of the rocker arm, viewed from the second axis of rotation, actuates the valve opening element of the liquid dispensing device.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide device is designed as guide rails opposite each other and spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the guide rails are substantially U-shaped in cross section and respective openings of the guide rails are facing each other, or
 wherein the guide rails are substantially rectangular in cross section.   
     
     
         4 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the guide rails have an effective spacing from each other of about 25 mm to 40 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuating device is configured for shifting between an insertion position for inserting the liquid container and an actuating position for actuating the liquid dispensing device, and wherein the actuating device
 is attached to a removable cover of the housing, or   is attached to be pivotable to the housing.   
     
     
         6 . The liquid dispenser ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a bottom of the housing has a slope in the direction toward the liquid dispensing region. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein an end stop is formed in the liquid dispensing region, by means of which the liquid dispensing device of the liquid container can be positioned in its end position. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the end stop has a positioning section formed complementarily to a positioning section of the liquid dispensing device, in order to establish the position of the liquid dispensing device in relation to the guide device and/or the actuating device. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the force transmitting element comprises an operating lever bushing or opening, through which the operating lever is guided out from the housing, wherein a contact surface of the operating lever at the side of the force transmitting element, with which a force is exerted on the contact surface of the force transmitting element at the lever side for dispensing the liquid, runs substantially in a straight line, and the contact surface at the operating lever side is curved. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stand having a bearing surface, which in a positioning of the liquid dispenser as intended on a substantially flat positioning surface contacts the same, the bearing surface, viewed top down on the liquid dispenser, being arranged outside the footprint of the top side of the liquid dispenser. 
     
     
         11 . A tap system, having:
 a liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , and   a liquid container which is insertable in the liquid dispenser, having a liquid dispensing device for withdrawing a liquid present in the liquid container, wherein the liquid container comprises a guide flange which cooperates with the guide device of the liquid dispenser.   
     
     
         12 . The tap system according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuating direction of the liquid dispensing device of the liquid container, when viewed in its position of use, and a dispensing direction of the liquid are vertically oriented. 
     
     
         13 . The tap system ( 36 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide flange, viewed from the front, is substantially round or substantially oval and has an effective outer diameter of about 25 mm to 40 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The tap system according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide flange is formed at its outer circumference with a substantially rectangular cross section or with a substantially U-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         15 . A method for inserting a liquid container into a liquid dispenser according to  claim 1 , the liquid container having a liquid dispensing device for withdrawing a liquid from the liquid container, wherein a guide flange is provided on the liquid dispensing device, by means of which the liquid container is able to be guided and inserted into the liquid dispenser; the method having the step of:
 inserting the liquid container into the housing, the guide flange of the liquid container being guided by means of the guide device of the housing.   
     
     
         16 . The method for inserting a liquid container according to  claim 15 , carrying out, prior to inserting the liquid container into the housing, the step of:
 shifting the actuating device into an insertion position of the liquid container or ensuring that the actuating device has been shifted into the insertion position of the liquid container.   
     
     
         17 . A liquid dispenser for receiving a liquid container and for dispensing a liquid from the liquid container, wherein the liquid dispenser has a housing into which the liquid container is insertable and wherein the housing has, in a liquid dispensing region:
 a guide device, by means of which a liquid dispensing device of the liquid container is able to be guided during the insertion of the liquid container into the housing; and   an actuating device, by means of which the liquid dispensing device is able to be actuated to dispense the liquid from the liquid container;   wherein the housing comprises a grommet quick connector for coupling a grommet, the grommet being designed as a spray protection against the liquid dispensed by the liquid dispensing device.